Chief Health Officer Directions

On 18 March 2020 the Minister for Health declared a public health emergency under section 48 of the Public and Environmental Health Act 2011 (the Act) in relation to COVID-19.

When a public health emergency declaration is in force, the Chief Health Officer (CHO) can use their emergency powers under the Act. The CHO’s emergency powers mean that the CHO may take the actions (including giving oral or written directions) they consider necessary, appropriate or desirable to alleviate the public health emergency.

The CHO has made a number of directions that he considers to be necessary, appropriate or desirable to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Northern Territory.

The CHO’s directions are laws. It is an offence to contravene a direction of the CHO.